Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-20
Tales and Sketehes.
THE SILENT GOSSIP.

When a Young woman stands beside
the fireplace, taps her foot on the rug and
says coolly: 81 feel very much honored.
Pm sure, but don't think we are suited
to each other" the young man who Is
most interested in the conversation can do
nothing better than to depart as soon as
consistent with his dignity.
So Richard went out and banged the
door, leaving Dolly in the library.
Dolly was eighteen, Richard was twenty
three. the ages at which man and We
man are most given to tormenting each
other. Dolly thought Richard the hand
Richard thought Dolly the loveliest and
most lovable of women. so there is no use
describing either Of them. That Dolly
should refuse Richard, or that Richard
should propose to Dolly in an unfavorable
moment. may seem strange, but it was the
fault of gossip. silent gossip, who or
which had circulated most extraordinary
intelligence concerning Richard.
One fine afternoon, less than week
before this painful interview, Richard
walked down Main street, enjoying the
mild spring air. thinking OF Dolly and ten
mis-, Dolly and his canoe, Dolly and his
tandem and Dolly and his buggy, as he
had been his habi: ever since he returned
from college and found that Dolly had
treasured up all his letters to her brother.
Main street was crowded the evening
train, the "supper-train," from town had
lust arrived, and Richard, who had come
down by an earlier train on some business
with old Mr.. FARMLAND, met the crowd
and beamed serenely on every one. PEG
pie met very closely on.the narrow side
walk of a village street that was the rea-
son why the two Poulett girls, apparently
struck by Richards new scarf pin, stared
and giggled as they passed. Then Miss
Lawndes. the dressmaker. peered at him
with eager eyes; Mrs. Allen.
the Doctors stout and slow wife,
came to a full stop in front of
him, and as he stepped aside to give her
room she turned and looked at him again
before she passed on. Richards special
friends, ''the boys" as the young
LAWYERS, clerks and railroad men of his
own age were called, were nearly all on
the Other side of the street, but Bobby
Price, Just through college and on his way
home from the tennis ground, sauntered
SLOW ~ 10 IltCI SdhCloH
was with him. giggling as usual, and
they both stopped and talked to Richard
for minute or two. Then it was tea time,
and every one in well-regulated Sunny
dale went home.
Within the next three days all Sunny
dale was talking about Richard Dale and
Julie Frankland of the outrageous flrta-
ton between them, for Julie was engaged
to George Lane, who was in Europe on a
long business trip. he first that Dolly
FIRTH heard of it was from her Aunt Julia
Dorr.
"We all know how Julia hirted before
she GOT engaged" said Aunt Julia, after
announcing the facts of the case. "but
never would have believed she could
have misbehaved so afterwards. George
will be furious. OF course be will break
off and cant blame him."
Dolly kept silent. Richard had been
devote d to her since they were children !;
they had quarreled and made up a dozen
times, and he had occasionally invited
other girls to parties when he thought
Dolly had shown signs of undertaking
him. but never in their lives had there
been anything like this. And to think
how he had kept on calling on her three
times week, while he was, no doubt,
calling on Julia the other four evenings !
And then to come down in the early train
to see her "The detestable little firt,
it was all her tault!' though Dolly,
bending over her work, and blus hing
with shame and anger. But though Dolly
nwardy ragged, she showed no signs OF
disturbance. and serenely met Richard
Lo, bn oo1lnI nu,,al tuyn dave off or
she had learned of his falseness.
"If it were not that the whole village
had seen it, | believe that | should be de-
ceived by him again. thought Dolly, as
she looked into the eyes that were dearer
to her than all others, as they beamed at
her from under Richards straight brows."
When Richard. who had lately made
certain satisfactory business arrange
mens, and felt that now his lifelong de-
voton deserved to be rewarded, made
what he considered neat and creditable
proposal his wrath at her refusal was not
greater than Dolly's at his presumption.
II didn't need to lead up TO it, as if |
had only known her MONTH She's been
foolirg me all this timer' was Richards
angry comment, as he went down the
steps.
"He thinks because she's engaged and
flirts he can be engaged and flirt, tool
was Doly's meditation, mingled with tears.
But would take him! Oh, would
be just such fool and forgive him-if the
whole village hadn't seen itn' and Dolly
wept above the new mantel cover, regard
less of decorative art
Dolly was not one to tell when she had
oh bod tn
sympathize with her. The friendship be-
tween her brother Fred and Richard had
been long and mistaken, and possibly
Dolly might have begged Fred to call
him back and try and clear him OF the
charges against him; but Fred was in
Texas, not to be home for weeks, so
Dolly had her trouble all to herself and
tried to be amiable
Not so did Richard. That young man ap-
peared on the next mornings train with
a face so forbidding that none of 1.-The
bows" ventured to sit with him. A short
"Morning" was all the greeting he re-
turned to any one, and he was left to his
paper and his thoughts. Mean while
chances and masculine chuckles went on
about him. All imagined he had learned
what an amazing amount of work had
been ace )mplished by the silent gossip,
and they rather unwisely concluded to
drop the subject, for it would have short